Introduction:
On November 20, 2024, journalists, editors, media house representatives, and human rights organizations gathered at Parliament to voice their concerns over a new media bill. This legislation, if passed, could reverse recent gains in press freedom and raise fears of increased government control over the media.
The Proposed Amendments:
The Ethiopian Media Authority (EMA) has proposed amendments to the Media Proclamation, replacing the version ratified in 2021. The government argues these changes are necessary for improving the EMA’s ability to regulate the media and support the growth of Ethiopia’s media industry.
However, critics argue that the amendments threaten press freedom, pushing the country back to the repressive laws of the past. The most controversial change is the shift in power from the EMA’s board to the EMA Director-General, who is directly appointed by the Prime Minister.
Key Concerns:
The bill proposes removing the board’s authority to approve or revoke media licenses. Instead, the EMA Director-General would have sole control over these decisions. Critics argue that this concentration of power undermines the independence of the media and places it directly under government control.
Yonatan Tesfaye, Deputy Head of the EMA, argued that the board’s current structure, which includes civil society members and media industry representatives, causes delays and conflicts of interest. However, many see this as an attempt to consolidate government control over media licensing.
Another major change concerns live broadcast regulations. The current law exempts live broadcasts from strict editorial controls, but the EMA wants to remove this exemption, claiming that unregulated live broadcasts have incited violence and instability. Critics, however, argue that such a move would stifle freedom of expression and limit the media’s ability to inform the public.
Reactions to the Bill:
Media practitioners and human rights organizations have expressed strong opposition to the proposed changes. Many see the bill as a step backward for press freedom and a political maneuver to control the media ahead of the upcoming national elections.
Solomon Goshu, a media law expert, questioned the need for such drastic changes, especially given the extensive consultations that led to the current media proclamation. He argued that the government’s concerns about delays in licensing decisions could be addressed without removing the board’s powers.
Rakeb Messele, head of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, also warned that the bill undermines the independence of the EMA and violates constitutional protections for freedom of expression. She called for more public participation in the nomination and evaluation of board members.
Conclusion:
As the proposed media bill moves through Parliament, concerns about its impact on press freedom and the independence of the media continue to grow. With the government pushing for quick approval, many fear that this bill will reverse hard-won gains in media freedom and transparency.
source: thereporterethiopia
